Steam locomotive injector attachment



p 1952 w. F. SMITH, sR

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INJECTOR ATTACHMENT 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 Zhwentor ML L/4M F 5/91; 52.

(Ittorneg 5 Sept 23, 1952 w. F. SMITH, SR 2,611,384

STEAM LOCOMOTLVE INJECTOR ATTACHMENT Filed, Sept. 25, 1950 I 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 'P'WI IIII 2 "Q a e 9 g \f" 0 u. 00 INVENTOR.

l l/V/LL/A E jM/TH, 5R.

ATTORN EYS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1952 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INJECTOR ATTACHMENT William F. Smith, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.

Application September 25, 1950, Serial No. 186,551

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to locomotive injector attachments and the principal objects are to provide apparatus for economizing feed water and for the elimination of hazards during freezing weather which usually exist when the overflow of the injectors, now in common use, is discharged alongside the railroad tracks.

It has been proposed, in the past, to conserve water introduced through the injector for priming purposes, by providing a steam jet to return such water to the water supply tank from the overflow conduit of the injector. An example of such is shown in the patent to Heath, 1,145,683 of July 6, 1915. This arrangement has been found unsatisfactory in that it uses some of the steam of the boiler for the return of water to the supply tank, and since the jet is likely to become clogged it is necessary to run an ordinary overflow conduit for discharge along the railroad track in the event that the jet becomes clogged. This ordinary overflow conduit, having its way in communication with the injector and the zone of the jet, is apt to deliver dust, dirt or other foreign matter into the water and parts of the jet, when the jet is operating under normal conditions to return the priming water to the water supply tank. This foreign matter is likely to clog the jet or find its way to the water supply tank and subsequently be introduced into the injector or boiler after passing through the injector.

It has also been proposed to economize as to feed water, dispensing with the jet above referred to and in its place substitute a receiving tank connected to the injector overflow, the lower portion of the receiving tank having in communication therewith a return pipe with one or more liquid'seals or traps, the return pipe being connected with the usual water supply pipe of the injector adjacent the latter. An example of such is shown in patent to Shields 1,902,732 of March 21, 1933. This has been found unsatisfactory in that the receiving tank must be vented to the atmosphere so that the water therein will flow by ravity through the liquid seal or trap to the injector water supply pipe when the injector is shut off. However, when the injector is set intooperation some steam will issue from the vent into the engine cab and create an annoyance if not a hazard to the engineer and those workmen in the cab. Furthermore the liquid seals or traps take up considerable space in the engine cab, which is objectionable because of other standard equipment in the cab.

According to my invention, water from the overflow of the injector is collected in an overflow receptacle or box during operation of the injector and returned to the tender supply tank instead of being distributed alongside the railroad tracks where it is likely to form ice, during freezing weather, and create a hazard to workmen, such as switchmen and brakemen, who must walk along and perform operations adjacent to the tracks and rolling stock. The steam'issuing from the injector to the atmosphere is also conducted from the overflow box and vented at a zone above the locomotive cab, until the overflow box is substantially filled with water, whereupon a float valve closes off venting of the steam. Upon stopping operation of the injector, the water in the overflow box descends, due to the force of gravity, consequently causing the float valve to descend and the water finally is conducted back to the tender water supply tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for introducing the feed water, collected from the overflow of the inspirator, into the water supply tank of the locomotive tender through flexible hose of the type dropped between the tender and locomotive, for supply of water to the inspirator, and to heat the retrieved water in such hose during freezing weather.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following detailed description of a highly satisfactory embodiment of my invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation somewhat diagrammatically illustrating a locomotive, a portion of its tender, a typical injector installation, and an attachment, according to the present invention, associated with parts of the injector, locomotive and tender.

Fig. 2 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the injector and the attachment according to the present invention connected thereto, and showing the water supply tank of the tender and connections therewith on a smaller scale.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the overflow box in. plan.

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of the overflow box, with its cover removed.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on theline 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view partly in elevation and partly'in vertical section showing the float valve, forming a part of my invention, in a seated position.

In the drawings are shown a typical locomotive 6, in the cab 1 of which is located an injector 8, including an overflow outlet 9, and a steam turret ID; a tender l I containing a water supply tank I2, detachably connected to the locomotive as by any suitable coupler M; a feed water supply line I5 between the tank I2 and injector 8; a steam pipe 16 between the turret i and injector 8; and apparatus ll constructed and arranged according to the present invention and associated with the injector 8, water supply tank l2 and turret 10.

The injector may be of any suitable type, that shown being the well known Hancock injector or inspirator, including a water control valve l9, steam control valve mechanism 20 and feed water delivery pipe 2!. The water supply line l may comprise a rigid pipe section 22, carried by the locomotive, a flexible section or hose 23 secured to the rear end of section 22 by a detachable coupling 24; and a goose neck section 25 carried bythe tender and disposed mainly in the water tank l2 thereof, as shownin Fig. 2, the rear end of the hose 23 being; secured to thejlowermost end of thegoose neck section by a detachable coupling 25 in the usual manner. The goose neck section is shown provided with the usual vent valve 21 for the escape of air as the tank is-being filled and to prevent the siphoning of water from the tank whenthe hose section is disconnected from either section 2 2 or section 25, The maximum water level in the; supply tank is indicated by the-line 29, Fig. 2, and the injector is installed; in the locomotive cab-suiliciently high above the plane of the water level in, the-tank l2, to permit parts of; the apparatus [1, as hereinafter described, to also be, 10-- cated above. said plane.

The apparatus ll preferably comprises a receiving tank -located below the injector. 8 with the bottom of its, chamber 34. preferably at about the, maximum water level 29 in the tender. tank 2-,, as, shown in- Fig; 2; a vent pipe 3-2 connected to the receivingtank at the-upper portion thereof forventing the chamber to the atmosphere; a conduit connection 33, preferably including a union, 34, between the overflow outlet 9' of the injector 8 and the upper portion of the receiving tank 39 whereby steam and water issuing from the injector during the primary stage of operation will find its wayintothe chamber 31; a float valve mechanism in the tank 30 for shutting. ofi, communication between. the chamber 31' and the vent pipe 32' when the receiving tank is substantially filled with water; a water return line 38; operatively connected with the receiving tanki'i'lfl and tender tank; l2", independent of the watersuction. supply line l5, for return of. water from. the receiving tank to the tender tank; and a baffle plate 40 located in the-chamber 3| between the zone of theinlet of conduit connection 33 thereto and the zone of the outlet of the chamber 3| to the water return line 38, asshown inFig. 2.

The receiving tank 30 is preferably horizontally elongated in shape and may have its one end wall 4| inclined downwardly from its top Wall 42 to its bottom wall 43, and the other end wall 44 may be vertical. The topwall, 42- may be detachably connected to the main body portion of the tank by means of stud. bolts 45. The receiving tank may be supported by a bracket 43: detachably connected with some part of the locomotive in any suitable manner.

The vent pipe 32 preferably comprises a lower section 4l= connected to the upper portion of top wall 42 at a threaded boss 48, adjacent the end wall 44-, and an upper section 49 which preferably extends through the roof 50 of the locomotive cab so that its outlet is located exteriorly of the locomotive and hence steam issuing therefrom will not disturb or annoy workmen in the locomotive cab. A union 5| may be provided, connecting the sections 41 and 49.

The conduit connection 33 is preferably located adjacent the wall 41, and the unions 34 and 5| facilitate detachment of. the receiving tank 30 with respect to the injector 8 and the vent section 49.

Referring now to the flow valve mechanism in the example shown, it comprises a float valve proper 53, such as a ball valve adapted to engage a downwardly facing valve seat 54 which may be machined or otherwise formed at the lower end. of. the lower section 4'! of the vent pipe and threaded boss 48, as shown in Fig. 6, and a cage 55 for vertically guiding the valve proper 53, during its movement from a, lower position, when the chamber 3 lis empty of water to an upper closing position with respect to seat 54, when the chain-- ber 31 is substantially filled with water. The cage 55.- may be detachably secured in place, as. by stud bolts; 56 connecting it-with the top wall: 42, and if desired, by stud bolts 5-! connecting it with the bottom wall 43 The water returnline- 38 may comprise a rigid conduit or pipe section 60., aflcxible conduit. St, a shut off valve 62 beneath the Water tank l2; of the tender, a nipple- 63 secured to and com-.- municating with thetank l2, and unions 64, 65 and B6 to.- facilitate detachment of parts, the union 6,4 connecting the rear end of flexible conduit 6|. with. valve 62, the union. 65 connecting, the forward end of flexible, conduit Bl with the rear end ofrigid conduit: and the union 6 connecting; the forward end of rigid section 80: with a nipple 68-, formed onthe bottom. wall 43 of receiving tank 30. The flexible conduit 61. is drooped in the usual manner, similar to flexible section or hose 23' of the feed water supply line- ].5, permitting; relative movement between the locomotive and tender, such as when travelling: overcurved-track.

The battle plate-4G may besecured in the chamber 34 in any suitable manner, suchas by stud. bolts 10,, and is preferably provided with a plurality 0f perforations H so as to not require: all of the water entering through the conduit connection 33- to pass around the baffle. plate.

In order toprevent. freezing ofwater in the water return line 38,. I provide'a valve controlledconduit 12 in communication with the steam space of the locomotive boiler, such asby connection at the steam turret 10, this conduit pref-- erably extending through the receiving, tank 30 and along theinterior ofat least the. rigid conduit or pipe section 60 of the water return line 35. In the. example shown, the conduit 12. has its. outlet 13 adjacent the union so that stea inissuing therefrom will heat the water in the flexible conduit or'hose 6 l. Thevalve: T4 inthe-heatingconduit 12 may be located: adjacent the receiving tank 36., convenient to the engineer hav'-- ing charge of operation of the injector.

In operation, when it: is desired to introduce Water intothe. locomotive boiler, the steam. con trol valve mechanism N of: the injector 8- is.- operated by the attendant in the usual manner, first for priming, and then for water. deliveryoperation. During the priming. operation. steam entering the chamber 3| strikes the baflle plate. 40 in a manner so as tonot impart avoluntary movement for the floatvalve proper 53 and the,

steam finds exit to theatmo'sphere'through the vent pipe 32, preferably above the roof ofthe locomotive cab. vDuring the priming operation of the injector," water is finally introduced into the chamber 3|, and as it rises therein, the float valve proper 53 will be carried upwardly in its cage 55 and will finally engage seat 54 shutting off escape of fluid through the vent pipe 32. When this takes place water in the return line 38 will be forced into the water supply tank l2 by any superatmospheric pressure in chamber, 3| and when the priming of the injector has been completed, and the steam control valve mechanism 20 of the injector has been set forintroduction of water into the locomotive boiler, any superatmospheric pressure in the chamber 3| will be dissipated and when there is only atmospheric pressure in the chamber 3| the float valve 53 will become unseated, and the water in the receiving tank 30 will flow by gravity to the water return line 38 and finally back into the water supply tank [2, as a result of subsequent operations of the injector.

In practice I have found that the receiving tank may be relatively small such as to provide a chamber 3| approximately four inches wide, eight inches deep and twelve inches long. When installed, it may be disposed closely adjacent to and below the injector, with its longitudinal axis diagonally with respect to the axis of water delivery pipe 2| so that its rear end will be centered beneath the overflow outlet 9 of the injector and so that the pipe section 49, of the vent pipe 32 will clear the water delivery pipe 2| at either side of the latter.

I claim:

1. In a water supply system for steam locomotives of the type in which an injector, having a water suction supply line connection with a tender tank, and a steam supply line and a water delivery line connected with the locomotive boiler, is provided with an overflow outlet through which steam and water escapes during priming of the injector; the improvement which comprises a receiving tank connected with the overflow outlet below the injector, a vent pipe connected to the receiving tank at the upper portion thereof, a float valve mechanism in the receiving tank for shutting oil communication between the interior of the receiving tank and the vent pipe when the receiving tank is substantially filled with water, and a water return line operatively connected with the receiving tank and tender tank independent of said water suction supply line for return of water from the receiving tank to the tender tank.

2. In a water supply system for steam locomotives of the type in which an injector, having a water suction supply line connection with a tender tank, and a steam supply line and a water delivery line connected with the locomotive boiler, is provided with an overflow outlet through which steam and water escapes during priming of the injector; the improvement which comprises a receiving tank connected with the overflow outlet below the injector, a vent pipe connected to the receiving tank at the upper portion thereof and having its outlet located exteriorly of the locomotive, a float valve mechanism in the receiving tank for shutting off communication between the interior of the receiving tank and the vent pipe when the receivingv tank is substantially filled with water, and a water return line operatively connected with the receiving tank and tender tank independent of 6 said water suction supply'line for return of water fromthe receiving tank to; the tender tank."

3. In awater supply system for steam locomotives of the type in whichan injector, having a water suction supply; line connectionwith a tender tank; anda steam supply line and a water deliverydin'e' connectedwith the locomotive boiler, is provided with an overflow outlet through," which steam and water escapes during priming of the injector; theiinprovement which comprises a receiving tank connected'withthe overflow outletbelowthe injector, a vent pipe connected to the receiving tank at the upper portion thereof and having its outlet located exteriorly of the locomotive above its cab, a float valve, mechanism in the receiving tank for shutting off communication between the interior of the receiving tank and the vent pipe when the receiving tank is substantially filled with water, and a water return line operatively connected with the receiving tank and tender tank independent of said water suction supply line for return of water from the receiving tank to the tender tank.

4. In a. water supply system for steam locomotives of the type in which an injector, having a water suction supply line connected with a tender tank, and a steam supply line and a water delivery line connected with the locomotive boiler, through which steam and water escapes during priming of the injector; the improvement which comprises a horizontally elongated receiving tank located below the injector and having a connection with said overflow outlet thereof for receiving steam and water into its chamber at the upper portion of one end thereof, a vent pipe connected to the receiving tank and having communication with its chamber at the other upper end thereof, a float valve mechanism in the receiving tank for shutting 01f communication between the chamber thereof and the vent pipe when said chamber is substantially full of water, and a water return line operatively connected with the lower portion of said receiving tank and tender tank.

5. In a water supply system for steam locomotives of the type in which an injector, having a water suction supply line connected with a tender tank, and a steam supply line and a water delivery line connected with the locomotive boiler, is provided with an overflow outlet through which steam and water escapes during priming of the injector; the improvement which comprises a horizontally elongated receiving tank located below the injector and having a connection with said overflow outlet thereof for receiving steam and water into its chamber at the upper portion of one end thereof, a vent pipe connected to the receiving tank and having communication with its chamber at the other upper end thereof, a float valve mechanism in the receiving tank for shutting off communication between the chamber thereof and the vent pipe when said chamber is substantially full of water, a water return line operatively connected with the lower portion of said receiving tank and tender tank, and a bafile plate located between the zone of the steam and water inlet and the water return outlet of the receiving tank.

6. In a water supply system for steam locomotives of the type in which an injector, having a water suction supply line connection with a tender tank, and a steam supply line and a water delivery line connected with the locomotive boiler, is provided with an overflow outlet through is provided with an overflow outlet which steam and water, escapes. during priming, of the injector; the improvement. which com-- prises areceiving tankconnect'ed, with the overflow outlet below the injector; a vent pipe connected to the receiving; tank at the upper portion. thereof, a that valve. mechanism in the: re-' ceiving tank for shutting. off communication between the interior of th e receiving tank and the:

vent pipe when the receivingv tankis substanr tially filled with water,. a water return lineoperatively connected with the receiving tank and tender tank independent of. said water suction supply line for return of water from the receiving, tank to the tender tank, and a. valve controlledconduit in communication. with the steam 15 space. 015 the locomotive, boiler and extending through said: receivingv tank. and: at least partially along.- the interior of said water return line. for, supplying heat to the latter during freezing, weather.

WILLIAM F. SMITH, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

